Air-cooling mechanism

ABSTRACT

An air-cooling mechanism. An electric fan has a fan motor and fan blades. A front grill covers the fan blades. A removably attached ice pack holder holds an ice pack. The ice pack holder has an ice pack holder grill and attachment brackets. The ice pack holder also includes a holding mechanism for receiving and holding the ice pack. Connection straps are used to connect the attachment brackets to the electric fan&#39;s front grill. In a preferred embodiment the connection straps are Velcro® straps. In a preferred embodiment, the ice pack includes ice pack holes for allowing air flow.

The present invention relates to devices for cooling air, and in particular, to electrical fan devices utilized to cool air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electric Fans

Electric fans are known in the prior art. Portable electric fans are commonly used in homes and businesses and are very popular. For example, FIGS. 1-3 show prior art electric fan 10. Electric fan 10 includes electric motor 3. Fan blades 2 are connected to electric motor 3 and spin on an axis when fan 10 is turned on to generate air flow. Front grill 1 and rear grill 5 covers blades 2, as shown. Fan 10 can be controlled by operating control knobs 4.

When electric fan 10 is turned on an air flow is generated by the spinning of fan blades 2. This circulated air provides comfort to individuals near the fan. However, unfortunately, the air temperature is not lowered by utilization of the prior art fan. Therefore, if the air temperature is too high, then the user of the fan may still feel discomfort even if he is in close proximity to the fan.

Ice Packs and Gel Packs

Ice packs and gel packs are known in the prior art. An ice pack or gel pack is typically a portable plastic bag filled with water, refrigerant gel, or liquid. To be prepared for use, the pack is first placed in a freezer. Ice packs are used in coolers to keep perishable foods (especially meats, dairy products, eggs, etc.) below the 5-75° C. (41-167° F.) danger zone when outside a refrigerator or freezer, and to keep drinks pleasantly cool.

What is needed is an improved electric fan that allows for cooler air to be generated and enjoyed by those in close proximity to the fan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an air-cooling mechanism. An electric fan has a fan motor and fan blades. A front grill covers the fan blades. A removably attached ice pack holder holds an ice pack. The ice pack holder has an ice pack holder grill and attachment brackets. The ice pack holder also includes a holding mechanism for receiving and holding the ice pack. Connection straps are used to connect the attachment brackets to the electric fan's front grill. In a preferred embodiment the connection straps are Velcro® straps. In a preferred embodiment, the ice pack includes ice pack holes for allowing air flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 show a prior art electrical fan.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a preferred ice pack.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a preferred ice pack.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a preferred ice pack holder.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of a preferred ice pact holder.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a preferred ice pack holder.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a preferred ice pack holder.

FIGS. 10-16 show a preferred method of connecting the ice pack holder to the electrical fan and using the ice pack holder to generate cool air.

FIGS. 17-19 show another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Ice Pack to Permit Air Flow FIG. 4 shows a front view and FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of preferred ice pack 12. Ice pack 12 is preferably circular in shape. Ice pack 12 includes multiple holes 14 to permit air flow. In a preferred embodiment, ice pack 12 has a diameter of approximately 14 inches and is approximately ⅜ inch thick. In one preferred embodiment holes 14 have a diameter of approximately 2 inches.

Ice Pack Holder

FIGS. 6-9 show fan ice pack holder 20. Ice pack holder 20 is preferably circular in shape. In a preferred embodiment ice pack holder 20 has a diameter of approximately 15¼ inches. In a preferred embodiment, radially extending straight slats 21 extend outward from the center of holder 20, as shown. Also, circular slats 22 are concentric with one another, are connected to slats 21 and also extend outward from the center of holder 20, as shown. Preferably, straight slats 21 and circular slats 22 are fabricated from ⅛-inch diameter metal so as to permit air flow from between the gaps. Slats 21 and 22 form ice pack holder grill 50 that covers the front of ice pack holder 20, as shown in FIGS. 6-7 . Solid center circular piece 23 is connected to slats 21 and is positioned at the center of holder 20 as shown.

Strap attachment brackets 25 are rigidly connected to the sides of holder 20 as shown. U-shaped holding mechanism 26 is also rigidly connected to holder 20 as shown.

Utilization of the Fan Ice Pack Holder

FIGS. 10-16 show the utilization of ice pack holder 20.

In FIG. 10 , the user has positioned ice pack 12 next to ice pack holder 20.

In FIGS. 11-14 , the user has placed ice pack 12 into U-shaped connection mechanism 26 of ice pack holder 20. U-shaped holding mechanism 26 holds ice pack 12 adjacent to slats 21 and 22 of ice pack holder 20. Holes 14 in ice pace 10 permit air flow.

In FIGS. 15-16 the user has attached ice pack holder 20 to front grill 1 of fan 10 by utilizing connection straps 40 looped through attachment brackets 25 and the slats of front grill 1, as shown.

To generate a flow of cooled air, the user turns on fan 1, causing fan blades 2 to spin, thereby creating an air flow. The air flow flows through holes 14 in ice pack 12, thereby cooling the air.

Replaceable Ice Pack

In a preferred embodiment, it is possible for the user to purchase additional ice packs of various thicknesses. For example, ice pack 12 can be purchased having a thickness of ½ inch, 1 inch or 1½ inch. The thicker ice packs will stay frozen longer and therefore will provide cool air for a longer period of time.

Other Preferred Embodiment

FIGS. 17-19 show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this preferred embodiment, ice pack 12 has been replaced with multiple ice packs 50. Ice packs 50 are rectangular in shape and do not have holes. Ice pack 50 is commonly available in modern society (see discussion above in the Background section). As shown in FIGS. 17-19 , instead of inserting ice pack 12, the user inserts ice pack 50. The user may insert one pack 50 or more than one ice pack 50 into U-shaped connection mechanism 26 of ice pack holder 20. To generate a flow of cooled air, the user turns on fan 1, causing fan blades 2 to spin, thereby creating an air flow. The air flow flows around ice packs 50, thereby cooling the air.

Other Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 20 shows another preferred embodiment in which drip pan 55 is utilized to collect moisture that may drip down from ice pack 12 or ice pack 50 as the ice pack melts.

Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention 

What is claimed is:
 1. An air-cooling mechanism, comprising: A. an electric fan, comprising: i. a fan motor, ii. a plurality of fan blades connected to said fan motor, iii. a front grill, covering said plurality of fan blades, B. a removably attached ice pack holder, comprising: i. an ice pack, ii. an ice pack holder grill, iii. at least one attachment bracket connected to said ice pack holder grill, iv. a holding mechanism for receiving and holding said ice pack, and v. connection straps for connecting said at least one attachment bracket to said front grill of said electric fan, wherein said air-cooling mechanism generates cool air when said plurality of fan blades blows air past said ice pack.
 2. The air-cooling mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said ice pack comprises at least one air flow hole and wherein said air-cooling mechanism generates cool air when said plurality of fan blades blows air through said at least one air flow hole of said ice pack.
 3. The air-cooling mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said ice pack is a plurality of ice packs.
 4. The air-cooling mechanism as in claim 1, at least one attachment mechanism is three attachment brackets rigidly connected to said ice pack grill holder.
 5. The air-cooling mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said holding mechanism is a U-shaped holding mechanism.
 6. The air-cooling mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said connection straps are Velcro® connection straps.
 7. The air-cooling mechanism as in claim 1, wherein at least one air flow hole is a plurality of air flow holes.
 8. The air-cooling mechanism of claim 1, wherein said ice pack may be replaced by another ice pack having a different thickness. 